Smartpens, Butterflies and Fractions

                                 

           Hope everyone enjoyed a great Victoria Day holiday! 

Smartpen
If you get a chance, please click on the Livescribe, Smartpen link. I have been lucky enough to be part of a team that is learning this technology and developing ways to use it in a primary classroom. You may have seen how it was implemented by creating a 'talking word wall' that your child showed you at our Open House (with their own voice recording/sound stickers). It also can be used in different ways. I am always interested in feedback. If there is anything you can think of that you think I could share (one minute lesson) in this way, please let me know. I have had a request for 'success criteria' on how to write a paragraph with an emphasis on what is required for a level 4 (highest level) on the bump it up wall. I will see if I can do this shortly...still learning myself.

Butterflies
Early this week, all but one of our caterpillars developed into a chrysalis! You can see that they formed onto the lids of their little containers. This meant it was time to take off the lids and move it to a bigger, netted container. The chrysalis are very much alive and it is always fun to see them wriggle.

Now occasionally, some chrysalis don't attach or fall from the lid. A little trick I learned from the butterfly conservatory is to use a glue gun to re-attach them to a popsicle stick. If they don't hang up then the side where they lay results in a deformed wing. Always a bit upsetting, but the glue (if used sparingly) works quite well. If you ever find yourself doing this (and who knew I would need this knowledge in life..now really)...the little guys do wiggle which is a bit unsettling but I'm guessing the hot glue can't be much fun. However, we must give them as much a chance to survive as possible :) It is a precious life after all!

Finally, today there were two Painted Lady Butterflies. Many of us donated a little bit of fruit from our lunches to welcome them to our world. The arrival of our first butterflies is always a magic moment!
                                        

What's on the bookshelf...
We have a collection of fiction and non-fiction books on butterflies (of course). As well, we have a selection of books on fractions.

 If you are looking for some great books for boys, take a look at the 'Favourite Books' tab as I will be updating the book list to include more books recommended to me from another teacher friend. She has included descriptions so you can pick and choose what might interest your little reader at home.

Upcoming events
June 11 - Jump Rope for Heart
June 26 - Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory Trip
                Final Reports come home